October 25, 2005
REP. RYAN RAISES CONCERNS ABOUT THE IMPACT OF US TRADE COMMITMENTS ON DRUG PRICES FOR ARIZONA RESIDENTS
State Representative Kevin Ryan met on October 20th with negotiators from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). As co-chair of the national Legislative Working Group on Trade and Prescription Drugs, Rep. Ryan sought to clarify how commitments made by the United States in recently concluded trade agreements might impact the ability of Arizona residents to get the drugs they need at prices they can afford.
“Prescription drug prices affect my constituents and the people of Connecticut. I am concerned that, in its trade negotiations, the United States not limit the flexibility of states to develop drug purchasing plans that keep spending down,” Rep. Ryan said. “I am also concerned that trade rules do not limit the state’s ability to respond to a health emergency, by making appropriate medicines available in a timely manner.”
In the meeting with USTR, Rep. Ryan raised the question of whether a recent bilateral trade agreement with Australia could impact the administration of Connecticut’s Medicaid programs. She also raised questions regarding on-going negotiations at the World Trade Organization on intellectual property rights and services.
The Legislative Working Group on Trade and Prescription Drugs, co-chaired by Rep. Burton Cahill and Rep. Meg Burton-Cahill (D-AR), coordinated this meeting with the United States’ top pharmaceutical trade negotiator. Legislators or legislative staff from five states took part in the meeting. “We greatly appreciate the willingness of USTR staff to meet with state representatives,” said Rep. Ryan. “Given that many healthcare services are administered at state and local levels, there is a need for on-going federal-state dialogue on these important questions of drug access and affordability.”